Bare stent ship and crimp device

ABSTRACT

A stent container has a first wall at the proximal end and a second wall at the distal end. The first wall has an opening therethrough sized for receiving an uncrimped stent therethrough. The opening opens into a chamber which is reducible in size from a first enlarged size to a second reduced size. The chamber in the first enlarged size is sized for receiving an uncrimped stent therein. A plurality of bars extend from the first wall to the second wall. The bars are movable between a first position and a second position. The plurality of bars in the first position and the first and second walls define the periphery of the chamber in the enlarged size. The plurality of bars in the second position and the first and second walls define the periphery of the chamber in the reduced size. A stent disposed in the chamber may be reduced in size by reducing the chamber from the first enlarged size to the second reduced size.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/681,009filed Nov. 16, 2000 which is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A stent is a generally tubular device that is used to support a bodilylumen.

A stent is typically delivered to a desired bodily location via acatheter. In the case of a mechanically expandable stent such as aballoon expandable stent, the stent is disposed about the balloon andcrimped to the balloon to prevent undesired movement of the stentrelative to the balloon.

A number of techniques for crimping a stent to a balloon are used. Onesuch technique that is commonly used in the radiological suite involveshand crimping the stent to the balloon. A stent is placed over anuninflated balloon and then squeezed with the fingers until the stent isin intimate contact with the uninflated balloon. The technique is highlyoperator dependent and can affect stent profile and stent placement withrespect to the balloon and radiopaque markers. It can also affect thedilatation length of the stent and lead to pinching of the balloon.

Other techniques for crimping stents involve the use of mechanicaldevices for crimping stents. Mechanical stent crimpers have beendisclosed in a number of patents including U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,108,886,6,092,273, 6,082,990, 6,074,381, 6,063,102 and 5,992,000. Mechanicalstent crimpers have also been disclosed in a number of copending,commonly assigned patent applications including U.S. application Ser.Nos. 09/401,467, 09/401,213, 09/404,986 and 09/401,218.

Typically, mechanical stent crimping devices are either used to crimpthe stent to the catheter prior to shipping the stent or in theradiological suite. In the latter case, the radiologist selects a barestent with the desired properties and then mechanically crimps the stentto the desired balloon catheter.

There remains a need for novel stent crimping devices that are capableof uniformly crimping a stent to a catheter and that may be employed atthe point of use of the stent. There is also a need for stent crimpingdevices that may double as a shipping container for protecting the stentduring shipping.

All US patents and applications and all other published documentsmentioned anywhere in this application are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

The invention in various of its embodiment is summarized below.Additional details of the invention and/or additional embodiments of theinvention may be found in the Detailed Description of the Inventionbelow.

The abstract provided herewith is intended to comply with 37 CFR 1.72and is not intended be used in determining the scope of the claimedinvention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a stent container comprising a first wallat the proximal end of the container and a second wall at the distal endof the container. An opening is provided through the first wall. Theopening, sized for receiving an uncrimped stent therethrough, opens intoa chamber. The chamber is reducible in size from a first enlarged sizeto a second reduced size. In the first enlarged size, the chamber issized for receiving an uncrimped stent therein. A plurality of barsextending from the first wall to the second wall, in conjunction withthe first and second walls, define the chamber. The bars are movablebetween a first position and a second position. In the first position,the plurality of bars and the first and second walls define theperiphery of the chamber in the enlarged size. In the second position,the plurality of bars and the first and second walls define theperiphery of the chamber in the reduced size.

In one embodiment, the bars are movably received in the first and secondwalls. The first wall has a center and a plurality of slots disposedabout the center. Each of the slots arcs toward the center with the barsmovably received in the slots. The second wall has a plurality ofradially disposed grooves therein, with the bars movably received in thegrooves. The first wall is optionally rotatable relative to the secondwall to move the bars from the first position to the second position andvice versa. The first and second walls may also be constructed such thatthe bars slide in a purely radially inward direction.

In another embodiment, the bars are flexible. The bars, disposed in thefirst and second walls and fixed to prevent radial movement, are capableof being flexed between the first and second positions to reduce a stentin size. The bars may optionally be rotatable.

The bars of the stent containers disclosed above are desirably spacedapart such that the stent is visible between adjacent bars to facilitatepositioning the stent and any balloon to which the stent will be crimpedtherein. The bars may also be made of a transparent or translucentmaterial to facilitate positioning.

The container may optionally have an uncrimped stent therein. Theuncrimped stent may be reduced in size immediately upon insertion intothe container, after one to two hours, one to two weeks, one to twomonths, six months or longer or any other suitable period of time.

The inventive container is constructed and arranged such that thechamber in the second reduced size is smaller than the uncrimped stent.

The invention is also directed to containers such as those describedabove where the chamber comprises a stent which has been reduced in sizeand optionally, crimped to a catheter.

The invention is also directed to a method of reducing a stent in size.In accordance with the method, a stent is provided in a container. Thecontainer has a first end wall and a second end wall and a plurality ofbars extending between the first end wall and the second end wall. Thefirst and second end walls and plurality of bars define a chamber inwhich the stent is received. The bars are movable between a firstposition in which they do not contact the stent to a second position inwhich they contact the stent and provide an inward force to the stent.The bars are in the first position when the stent is placed in thecontainer. The bars may be moved from the first position to the secondposition thereby reducing the stent in size. Optionally, a medicalballoon may be disposed within the stent prior to moving the bars andthe stent crimped to the balloon. The stent may be reduced in sizeimmediately upon insertion into the container or after a period of timesuch as at least one day, week, month, a half year or even years.

The invention is also directed to a method of reducing a stent in sizeusing a coil. In accordance with the invention, a coil is disposed abouta stent. The coil has a first end and a second end. The coil is reducedin diameter by moving at least one of the first and second ends of thecoil relative to the other end so that the coil contacts the stent andapplies an inward force to the stent sufficient to reduce the stent insize. The coil may be made of a suitable material such as a metal orpolymer. Further in accordance with the method, a medical ballooncatheter having a medical balloon portion may be provided. The stent maybe disposed about the balloon portion of the medical balloon catheterprior to reduction of the stent in size. The coil may then be used tocrimp the stent to the balloon.

In all embodiments of the invention where the stent is loaded onto aballoon, optionally a centering pin may be provided to guide the stentonto the balloon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 shows a side view of an inventive stent container;

FIG. 2 shows an end view of an inventive stent container;

FIG. 3 shows an end view of an inventive stent container such as thatshown in FIG. 2 with the bars partially engaging a stent;

FIG. 4 shows an end view of an inventive stent container withspring-loaded bars;

FIG. 5 shows an end view of another inventive stent container withspring-loaded bars;

FIG. 6 shows a side view of another inventive stent container;

FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of an inventive stent container includinga cap;

FIG. 8 shows an end view of an inventive stent container with an elasticmembrane;

FIG. 9 shows an end wall of an inventive stent crimper with arcingslots;

FIG. 10 shows an inventive stent container with a cap therein;

FIG. 11 shows an inventive stent container with flexible bars;

FIG. 12 shows a front end view of the inventive stent container of FIG.11;

FIG. 13 shows a schematic illustration of an inventive stent crimperwith some of the bars flexed; and

FIG. 14 shows another inventive stent container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention may be embodied in many different forms, there aredescribed in detail herein specific preferred embodiments of theinvention. This description is an exemplification of the principles ofthe invention and is not intended to limit the invention to theparticular embodiments illustrated.

For the purposes of this disclosure, unless otherwise indicated, likereference numerals in the figures refer to the same component. Also forthe purposes of this disclosure, the term ‘stent’ shall refer to stents,grafts and stent-grafts. Finally, for the purposes of this disclosure,any references made to reducing a stent in size refer to a reduction inthe transverse cross-section of the flowpath through the stent.

The instant invention, in one or more of its embodiments, is directed todevices which may be used to reduce stents in size and/or to store andship stents. The devices may be used to reduce stents in size prior as aprecursor to crimping the stent or as part of crimping the stent. Thedevices may also be used to reduce stents in size even where the stentis not subject to crimping. In certain embodiments, the device may serveas a container for storing and/or shipping the stent.

The invention is directed, in one embodiment to a device which may beused for crimping a stent and/or shipping a stent. As shown generally at100 in FIG. 1, the device has a proximal end 102 and a distal end 104.First end wall 106 is located at the proximal end of the container andsecond end wall 108 is located at the distal end of the container. Atleast first end wall 106 has an opening 107 therein for receiving anuncrimped stent therethrough. A plurality of movable bars 110 extendfrom first wall 106 to second wall 108. The plurality of movable bars110 define passage 112 therein sized for receiving uncrimped stent 114therein. Opening 107 opens into passage 112.

First end wall 106 includes grooves or slots in which movable bars 110are movably received. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, slots 130 may beradially disposed between adjacent spokes 132. Slots 130 taper inward asshown in FIG. 2. Spokes 132 may be made of a resiliently deform ablematerial such as a polymeric material. An example of a suitable materialis rubber. Absent any inward force applied to bars 110, bars 110 restagainst spokes 132 and do not protrude into passage 112. With theapplication of force, spokes 132 may be deformed by bars 110 such thatbars 110 protrude into passage 112 and apply a crimping force to a stentdisposed therein, as shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows the stent intransverse cross-section. The end wall of FIGS. 2 and 3 have three slotsand three spokes and may accommodate three bars 110. The end wall mayhave additional or fewer slots and spokes. An end wall corresponding tothat of FIG. 1 has eight slots and spokes and accommodates eight bars.The inventive device may have as few as a single slot or may have anynumber of slots between two and twenty or more.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, end wall 106 mayoptionally be provided with springs 134 or other coupling devices incommunication with bars 110 to prevent bars 110 from contacting thestent until sufficient force is applied to the bars. Slots 130 as shownin FIG. 5 are of a constant width. Springs may be used in any of theother embodiments as well.

Other coupling devices such as a strip of stretchable material, forexample rubber or other polymeric material, may also be used to preventthe bars from contacting the stent until sufficient force has beenapplied thereto in any of the embodiments disclosed herein employingbars.

Second end wall 108 may be of identical construction to first end wall106 or may be of different construction. As an example of the latter,second end wall 108 may be closed so that no opening is provided thereinfor the stent.

First end wall 106 and second end wall 108 may be made of any suitablematerial including metal and polymeric materials. The first and secondwalls may be of solid construction or may have a plurality of openingstherein shaped to receive movable bars 110 therein.

Movable bars 110 may be made of any material including metals such asstainless steel, where suitable, and polymeric materials. Desirably, themovable bars will be made of a smooth material. More desirably, themovable bars will be made of a lubricous material such aspolytetrafluoroethylene.

Moveable bars may have a rectangular cross-section or more generally apolygonal cross-section or a curvilinear cross-section. Desirably, thecross-section will be circular.

The device may be provided in an embodiment in which the bars do notrotate about the stent.

The device may also be provided in an embodiment in which the bars mayrotate about the stent. Such an embodiment is shown generally at 100 inFIG. 6. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, centering pin 116 extends from base135, through an opening in second end wall 108 and into passage 112.Centering pin 116 maybe used to immobilize the stent or stent andcatheter. Second end wall 108 is rotatably coupled to base 135 so thatsecond end wall 108 and bars 110 may be rotated relative to centeringpin 116. Any suitable rotatable coupling may be used. Desirably, bars110 will have a circular cross-section.

The inventive devices, in any of the above embodiments and embodimentsbelow which employ bars, may further be provided with a cap 136 to closeopening 107 in first end wall 106 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 10. A cap mayalso be provided to any close opening in the second side wall. Anysuitable design may be used. The cap is of particular use to retain thestent in the device where the device is used for storage and/or shippingof the stent. The cap may have small openings therethrough to allow forthe insertion of gas or evacuation of gas from the passage or chamber inwhich the stent resides.

The device may further be provided with an elastic membrane 138 orotherwise deformable membrane disposed interior to the bars in passage112 as shown in FIG. 8. The membrane may be secured to the bars and/orend walls and disposed between the bars and the stent to prevent directcontact between the bars and the stent. Suitable materials for themembrane include PTFE, rubber and SILASTIC®. Other polymeric materialsmay also be used.

The inventive device may also be provided in an embodiment wherein atleast one of the end walls, as shown in FIG. 9, is provided with groovesor slots 130 that arc inward. The other end wall may be provided withlike slots or with radial slots. The device of FIG. 9 is operable toreduce a stent in size by rotating the one or more end walls with thearcuate slots causing the bars to be pushed inward.

In use, an uncrimped stent is received in passage 112 and shipped incontainer 100 which is closed by end cap 136 or any other suitableclosure device. Stent 114 may optionally be held in place by an end capsuch as that shown in FIGS. 7 and 10 which fits in opening 107 andwedges stent 114 in place or fits loosely into stent 114. The stent mayoptionally be held in place by centering pin 116. The device may also bedesigned to be only slightly longer than the stent housed therein, tohouse the stent with little movement of the stent.

As discussed below, the stent optionally may be sterilized within thedevice.

The device may be used to prereduce a stent in size or to crimp a stentto a delivery catheter. In the former case, at the point of use, bars110 may be pressed inward to apply a crimping force to the stent. Inthose embodiments where the bars are rotatable relative to the stent,the bars may be rotated about the periphery of the stent.

In the latter case, the cap, if present is removed and a catheterinserted in the device, interior to the stent. The stent may then becrimped by applying a force to the bars and, where applicable, rotatingthe bars about the stent. Typically, the stent will be crimped to acatheter balloon and catheter.

In another embodiment, the invention is directed to a device showngenerally at 100 in FIG. 11. Stent container 100 has a proximal end 102and a distal end 104. First end wall 106 is located at the proximal endof the container and second end wall 108 is located at the distal end ofthe container. At least first end wall 106 has an opening 107 thereinfor receiving an uncrimped stent therethrough. A plurality of flexiblebars 110 extend from first wall 106 to second wall 108. Six such barsare shown in FIG. 11. The invention also contemplates embodiments inwhich additional or fewer bars are present. The plurality of flexiblebars 110 define passage 112 therein sized for receiving an uncrimpedstent (not shown) therein. Opening 107 opens into passage 112. Centeringpin 116 is disposed in passage 112 and may optionally extend out opening107. In use, the stent and optionally a catheter tube, typically theinner tube of a catheter are disposed about centering pin 116.

First end wall 106 and second end wall 108 may be made of any suitablematerial including metal and polymeric materials. The first and secondwalls may be of solid construction or may have a plurality of openingstherein shaped to receive flexible bars 110 therein. In either case,flexible bars 110 may be adhesively secured, laser welded or otherwisewelded, or otherwise secured to the first and second end walls.

Flexible bars 110 may be made of any material which may be flexedincluding metals such as stainless steel and polymeric materials.Desirably, the flexible bars will be made of a smooth material which maybe easily flexed by hand. More desirably, the flexible bars will be madeof a lubricous material such as polytetrafluoroethylene.

Device 100 may further comprise one, and desirably, a plurality ofsupport bars 121 to maintain the integrity of the device. Support bars121 may be made of any rigid material whether metal, polymeric orotherwise. Support bars 121 desirably are constructed and arranged sothat they provide extra support during shipping and handling and maythen be broken away or otherwise removed before or during reduction ofthe stent in size. For example, support bars 121 may be slidably removedfrom device 100 at the point of use. Support bars 121 may also beattached to device 100 via a frangible adhesive. The bond betweensupport bars 121 and device 100 may then be broken at the point of use.

Any of the inventive devices described above may be provided in anembodiment where each of the individual bars may also be rotatablymounted in the end walls so that each bar rotates about its longitudinalaxis even as the collection of bars rotates about the stent. Thus, forexample, when applying a stent reduction force, each bar may be rotatedabout its longitudinal axis so that the bars are in rolling contact withthe stent.

Any of the inventive devices disclosed above may be constructed suchthat the stent and the portion of any balloon catheter within thecontainer are visible from outside the container. This may beaccomplished by leaving gaps between bars and/or by providing bars oftranslucent or transparent material. Because of the visibility affordedthe user, the stent may be aligned with the balloon or any radiopaquemarkers disposed on the catheter.

In use, an uncrimped stent is received in passage 112 of the containerof FIG. 11 and, optionally, stored and shipped in container 100. Stent114 may be held in place by an end cap, such as that shown for examplein FIGS. 7 and 10 which fits in opening 107 and wedges the stent inplace. The container may also be designed to be only slightly longerthan the stent housed therein, to house the stent with little movementof the stent. Centering pin 116 may be provided in stent 114 to centerthe stent and optionally support the stent in the container.

When it is desired to reduce the stent in size, bars 110 may be flexedinward, as shown in FIG. 13 until they contact stent 114 and apply ainward force to the stent, thereby reducing it in size.

To crimp the stent to a suitable balloon catheter, the container may beopened where necessary and the balloon portion of a balloon catheterinserted therein. Stent 114 is aligned on the balloon and crimpedthereto by flexing bars 110 inward, as shown in FIG. 13 until theycontact stent 114 and apply a inward crimping force to the stent.

In another embodiment, the invention is directed to a method of reducinga stent in size using a coil and to inventive devices for accomplishingthe same. A device for storing a stent and reducing a stent in size isshown generally at 200 in FIG. 14. Device 200 comprises a first wall 106and a second wall 108 joined to the first wall via one or moreconnectors 121 extending between the walls. Any suitable connectors maybe used including rods and/or bars and/or sheets of material extendingfrom the first wall to the second wall. Desirably, the one or moreconnectors form an enclosed and optionally sterilizable housing. To thatend, the one or more connectors may comprise a transparent orsemi-transparent material or may include a window to facilitatepositioning a balloon relative to the stent. Suitable sterilizablematerials are discussed below.

Device 200 further comprises a coil 210 in which a stent may bedisposed. First end 212 of coil 210 extends from first wall 106 atproximal end 102 of device 200. First wall 106 includes an opening 107for receiving a stent therethrough. Opening 107 extends into stentreceiving chamber 112. Second end 214 of coil 210 extends from secondwall 108 at distal end 104 of device 200. Optional centering pin 116extends from second wall 108 of device 200 and may be used to facilitatepositioning the balloon catheter within the coil. At least one of firstwall 106 and second wall 108 is movable relative to the other. Uponmoving one of walls 106 and 108 away from the other wall, the diameterof the coil is reduced and coil 210 may apply sufficient force to astent disposed in chamber 112 to reduce the stent in size.

In accordance with the inventive method, as shown in FIG. 14, stent 114is disposed within coil 210 of device 200. Balloon portion 140 ofmedical balloon catheter 138 is disposed within coil 210. Optionalcentering pin 116 extending from distal end wall 108 of device 200 maybe used to facilitate positioning the balloon catheter within the coil.At least one of first end 212 and second end 214 of coil 210 is movedrelative to the other thereby reducing the coil in diameter. As the endsare moved relatively further apart, the coil contacts the stent andreduces it in size, crimping the stent to the balloon. In one embodimentof the invention, one of the two ends is fixed in place and the other ofthe two ends is moved relative to the end which is fixed in place. Inanother embodiment, both ends are pulled apart. The inventive method mayalso be practiced in the absence of a balloon catheter for reducing astent in size.

Coil 210 may be provided at one or both ends with a suitable grippingdevice to facilitate holding the ends of the coil and pulling the coilby hand. One or both ends may also be provided with a mechanical devicecapable of providing a mechanical advantage such as a screw to apply aconstant force to one or both ends of the coil.

Coil 210 may be made of any suitable resilient material including metalsand polymeric materials. Desirably, the coil is made of a material suchas spring metal.

In another embodiment, the invention is directed to a stent container inwhich a braided stent such as a Wallstents® available from BostonScientific Corporation and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,061,275,5,992,000, a finger prison or a tube which is reducible in size such asthat disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,992,000 is used to reduce a stent insize. The device may be mounted in a housing similar to that shown inFIG. 14, with a braided stent, finger prison or reducible tube mountedat one end to first wall 106 and at the other end to second wall 108. Astent may be reduced in size by moving at least one of the first andsecond walls away from the other wall.

The above described inventive devices may further be provided with anelastic membrane or otherwise deformable membrane inside the coil,Wallstent, finger prison or tube. Additional details of the elasticmembrane are discussed above.

The inventive devices as disclosed herein may be constructed to besterilizable prior to or once the stent is stored therein. In such case,it is desirable that the material from which the device is constructedbe resistant to gamma radiation so that the device contents may besterilized with gamma radiation. Suitable materials include treatedpolycarbonates such as Lexan™, Cycolac™, Valox™, Noryl™ and Ultem™. Theexact choice of materials will depend on how the device is to besterilized.

The invention contemplates reducing stents in size immediately afterhaving been placed in any of the inventive devices disclosed herein andreducing stents in size that have been residing in the inventive devicefor periods of time ranging from one to two hours, to six months ormore. A stent may be placed in any of the inventive devices and storedand/or shipped therein and then crimped or reduced in size after a week,a months, two month, half a year or longer, desirably at the point ofuse.

The invention is directed to methods of using the inventive disclosedherein wherein the devices are used to store the stents for periods oftime ranging from one to two days, one to two weeks, one to two monthsand up to six months or longer.

The invention is also directed to any of the inventive devices disclosedabove further comprising a stent which has been stored therein for aperiod of at least one to two days, one to two weeks, one to two monthsand as long as six months, a year or more.

In addition to the specific embodiments claimed below, the invention isalso directed to other embodiments having the features of theindependent claims and any other possible combination of the dependentfeatures claimed below.

The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive.The description will suggest many variations and alternatives to one ofordinary skill in this art. All these alternatives and variations areintended to be included within the scope of the attached claims. Thosefamiliar with the art may recognize other equivalents to the specificembodiments described herein which equivalents are also intended to beencompassed by the claims attached hereto.

1. A stent container having a proximal end and a distal end comprising:a first wall at the proximal end and a second wall at the distal end,the first wall having an opening therethrough sized for receiving anuncrimped stent therethrough and opening into a chamber, the chamberreducible in size from a first enlarged size to a second reduced size,the chamber in the first enlarged size sized for receiving an uncrimpedstent therein; a plurality of bars extending from the first wall to thesecond wall, the bars movable between a first position and a secondposition, the plurality of bars and the first wall and the second walldefining the periphery of the chamber, the plurality of bars constructedand arranged to contact the uncrimped stent and apply a force theretoupon movement of the bars from the first position to said the secondposition.
 2. The stent container of claim 1 wherein the plurality ofbars is movably received in the first and second walls.
 3. The stentcontainer of claim 2 comprising an uncrimped stent therein.
 4. The stentcontainer of claim 3 wherein the uncrimped stent has resided in thecontainer for at least one week.
 5. The stent container of claim 3wherein the uncrimped stent has resided in the container for at leastone month.
 6. The stent container of claim 3 wherein the uncrimped stenthas resided in the container for at least one half year.
 7. The stentcontainer of claim 3 wherein the chamber in the second reduced size issmaller than the uncrimped stent.
 8. The stent container of claim 2wherein the chamber is in the second reduced size.
 9. The stentcontainer of claim 8 wherein the chamber comprises a stent which hasbeen reduced in size.
 10. The stent container of claim 1 wherein thebars are flexible and are movable between the first and second positionsby flexing.
 11. The stent container of claim 10 comprising an uncrimpedstent therein.
 12. The stent container of claim 11 wherein the uncrimpedstent has resided in the container for at least one week.
 13. The stentcontainer of claim 11 wherein the uncrimped stent has resided in thecontainer for at least one month.
 14. The stent container of claim 11wherein the uncrimped stent has resided in the container for at leastone half year.
 15. The stent container of claim 11 wherein the chamberin the second reduced size is smaller than the uncrimped stent.
 16. Thestent container of claim 10 wherein the chamber is in the second reducedsize.
 17. The stent container of claim 16 wherein the chamber comprisesa stent which has been reduced in size.
 18. The stent container of claim10 wherein the flexible bars are made of a smooth material.
 19. Thestent container of claim 18 wherein the material is stainless steel. 20.The stent container of claim 18 wherein the material ispolytetrafluoroethylene.
 21. The stent container of claim 1 wherein thebars are spaced apart such that the stent is visible between adjacentbars.
 22. The stent container of claim 1 wherein the flexible bars aremade of a transparent or translucent material.
 23. The stent containerof claim 1 further comprising a balloon catheter, the balloon catheterincluding a medical balloon, the medical balloon disposed within thestent.
 24. A method of reducing a stent in size comprising the steps of:providing a stent in a container, the container having a first end walland a second end wall and a plurality of bars extending between thefirst end wall and the second end wall, the end wall and a plurality ofbars extending between the first end wall and the second end wall, thefirst and second end walls and plurality of bars defining a chamber inwhich the stent is received, the bars movable between a first positionin which they do not contact the stent to a second position in whichthey contact the stent and provide an inward force to the stent, thebars in the first position; moving the bars from the first position tothe second position thereby reducing the stent in size.
 25. The methodof claim 24 further comprising the step of disposing a medical balloonwithin the stent prior to moving the bars.
 26. The method of claim 24wherein a period of time of at least one day elapses between theproviding step and the moving step.
 27. The method of claim 24 wherein aperiod of time of at least one week elapses between the providing stepand the moving step.
 28. The method of claim 24 wherein a period of timeof at least one month elapses between the providing step and the movingstep.
 29. The method of claim 24 wherein a period of time of at leastone-half year elapses between the providing step and the moving step.30. The method of claim 24 wherein the bars are moved from the firstposition to the second position by flexing the bars.
 31. The method ofclaim 24 wherein the bars are moved from the first position to thesecond position by sliding the bars.
 32. In combination, a stentcontainer with a stent disposed therein, the stent container having achamber defined by three or more movable bars extending between a firstwall and a second wall, the bars movable inward toward one another, thefirst wall having an opening therethrough sized for receiving a stenttherethrough and opening into the chamber, the stent disposed in thechamber, the bars constructed and arranged such that the chamber isreducible in size from a first enlarged size to a second reduced size asthe bars are moved inward, the plurality of bars and the first wall andsecond wall defining the periphery of the chamber.
 33. The stentcontainer of claim 32 wherein said bars are constructed and arranged tocontact the stent and apply an inward force to the stent as they moveinward.
 34. A stent container having a proximal end and a distal endcomprising: a first wall at the proximal end and a second wall at thedistal end, the first wall having an opening therethrough sized forreceiving an uncrimped stent therethrough and opening into a chamber,the chamber reducible in size from a first enlarged size to a secondreduced size, the chamber in the first enlarged size sized for receivingan uncrimped stent therein; a plurality of bars each bar having acenter, said bars extending from the first wall to the second wallmovable between a first position and a second position with the entiretyof the center being displaced, the plurality of bars and the first walland the second wall defining the chamber.